BIBLIOGRAPHY
Montgomery, Sy. 2002. ENCANTADO: PINK DOLPHIN OF THE AMAZON. Photographs by Dianne Taylor-Snow. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618131035
PLOT SUMMARY
The Encantado, pink dolphin of the Amazon is an elusive animal. It is able to survive in the Amazon River by having a flexible body that is able to maneuver the often times dense and dark Amazon River. The dolphin is a rare sight since they swim low and never jump out of the water. The illusiveness of the dolphins makes them special and magical to the people who live along the river. The author takes readers on a trip down the river to understand the people, culture, and the importance of preserving the rainforest.
The author documents in second person what it would be like to study these animals based on her own observations. Some days there were many sightings, and on one particular day “They surfaced at the same moment within fifty yards of the canoe, a big pink mother and a little gray young one.” They also live among many other amazing animals. Piranhas, and electric eels will cause you think twice before swimming in the murky water to look for the Encantado. The water is also home to armored catfish which are descendants from the Devonian era 400 million years ago.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Photographs taken by Dianne Taylor-Snow are bright and colorful. The photographs bring reality to a rather elusive animal. They also allow the reader to connect to how people live in different parts of the world. The Encantado photographs in the book were taken of the Encantado that resides at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Readers are intrigued by the numerous topics and photographs that the author relates to the environment in which the Encantado lives.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “children with a taste for adventure will enjoy this enthusiastic field trip to the rainforest and chance meetings with everything from cute monkeys to stinging black ants.”
Reviewed in School Library Journal: “a magical environment as readers accompany the author and a guide on a voyage to investigate these little-known animals.”
CONNECTIONS
*Invite students to participate in a lesson that compares and contrasts Dolphins and Encantados.
*Other books by Sy Montgomery:
Montgomery, Sy. JOURNEY OF THE PINK DOLPHINS: AN AMAZON QUEST. ISBN 0743200268Montgomery, Sy. THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST: SCIENTIST IN THE FIELD. ISBN 061891577X
Saturday, July 18, 2009
THE BOY ON FAIRFIELD STREET: HOW TED GEISEL GREW UP TO BECOME DR. SEUSS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Krull, Kathleen. 2004. THE BOY ON FAIRFIELD STREET: HOW TED GEISEL GREW UP TO BECOME DR. SEUSS. Ill. by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher. New York: Random Mills. ISBN 0375822984
PLOT SUMMARY
Dr. Seuss grew up on Fairfield Street. His family were German immigrants, which left him misunderstood by many in his school and community. He grew up hearing stories at dinner about animals at the zoo and his mother dreamed of him going to college, so she told him verse poetry stories at bedtime. Ted Geisel is his real name; he grew up frustrating teachers with his constant doodling in class, and was told by an art teacher that he had no talent, since he was changing all the rules of typical art. Dr. Seuss adopted his pen name after college, and moved to Greenwich Village to begin his career.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Kathleen Krull writes an engaging Biography about Ted Geisel also known as Dr. Seuss. She engages the reader quickly as you learn about Dr. Seuss’s childhood and the obstacles he overcame to refine his talents and become a well known children’s author. He became inspired to find a career that utilized his talents for doodling and writing verse. At the age of twenty two he decided “he could share his own love of reading, animals, and justice” with children around the world and on Fairfield Street.
The paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher cast a nostalgic light with old fashioned paintings. They enable you to believe that you are in 1915. The illustrations enable the reader to journey with Ted as he grows up to have life experiences that enable him to become the well known Dr. Seuss. Many of the experiences are shown through full page illustrations which emphasize the importance of the event to the reader. The look of disgust on his teachers face when he is doodling in class and the injustice which he experienced on the playground as a child. These experiences led him to create such unique stories and animals.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in BOOKLIST:”delightful picture-book biography about Giesel that chronicles how he became an innovative writer and illustrator beloved by readers young and old.”
Reviewed in HORN BOOK: “the real story here is of a boy who couldn't stop doodling.”
CONNECTIONS
*Invite children to share their favorite Dr. Seuss story.
*Other books by Dr. Seuss
Seuss Geisel, Theodor. THE CAT IN THE HAT. ISBN 039480001X
Seuss Geisel, Theodor. GREEN EGGS AND HAM. ISBN 0545002850
Krull, Kathleen. 2004. THE BOY ON FAIRFIELD STREET: HOW TED GEISEL GREW UP TO BECOME DR. SEUSS. Ill. by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher. New York: Random Mills. ISBN 0375822984
PLOT SUMMARY
Dr. Seuss grew up on Fairfield Street. His family were German immigrants, which left him misunderstood by many in his school and community. He grew up hearing stories at dinner about animals at the zoo and his mother dreamed of him going to college, so she told him verse poetry stories at bedtime. Ted Geisel is his real name; he grew up frustrating teachers with his constant doodling in class, and was told by an art teacher that he had no talent, since he was changing all the rules of typical art. Dr. Seuss adopted his pen name after college, and moved to Greenwich Village to begin his career.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Kathleen Krull writes an engaging Biography about Ted Geisel also known as Dr. Seuss. She engages the reader quickly as you learn about Dr. Seuss’s childhood and the obstacles he overcame to refine his talents and become a well known children’s author. He became inspired to find a career that utilized his talents for doodling and writing verse. At the age of twenty two he decided “he could share his own love of reading, animals, and justice” with children around the world and on Fairfield Street.
The paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher cast a nostalgic light with old fashioned paintings. They enable you to believe that you are in 1915. The illustrations enable the reader to journey with Ted as he grows up to have life experiences that enable him to become the well known Dr. Seuss. Many of the experiences are shown through full page illustrations which emphasize the importance of the event to the reader. The look of disgust on his teachers face when he is doodling in class and the injustice which he experienced on the playground as a child. These experiences led him to create such unique stories and animals.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in BOOKLIST:”delightful picture-book biography about Giesel that chronicles how he became an innovative writer and illustrator beloved by readers young and old.”
Reviewed in HORN BOOK: “the real story here is of a boy who couldn't stop doodling.”
CONNECTIONS
*Invite children to share their favorite Dr. Seuss story.
*Other books by Dr. Seuss
Seuss Geisel, Theodor. THE CAT IN THE HAT. ISBN 039480001X
Seuss Geisel, Theodor. GREEN EGGS AND HAM. ISBN 0545002850
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
OUT OF THE DUST
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hesse, Karen. 1997. OUT OF THE DUST. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0590376195
PLOT SUMMARY
Billie Jo is growing up in Oklahoma in the 1930 when the panhandle was having many struggles with dust storms. The verse novel discusses the hard life style that Billie Jo had growing up. Her father attempts to grow wheat off of the land, yet the dust and lack of rain destroy all hopes of a good crop. Billie Jo’s father leaves a pot of kerosene on the stove and her ma and baby brother dies from the burns that resulted from Billie Jo trying to get rid of the kerosene by throwing it out the front door. Left behind are Billie Jo with severely burnt hands and her father. The story follows them through their struggles and mourning their losses. When Billie Jo finally decides to run away, she realizes that there is no place like home and is quick to return and repair the relationship with her father and help him rebuild their farm.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Karen Hesse’s utilization of verse in the writing of this novel makes it very readable and enjoyable. She utilizes first person to enable the reader to feel connected to what she is writing. The content is bleak at times, yet the book is fast paced due to the free verse writing style. I found Billie Jo to be a strong character; she went through a lot in a short period of time. The pain she must have felt after she burnt her hands. She states “I keep my raw and stinging hands behind my back when he comes near, because he stares when he sees them.” At 14 she had suffered so much, yet she found strength in herself to push forward and find peace at home. This book will help students understand what life was like in 1930 and how different it is from today.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in Horn Book: “nearly every word informed by longing, provides an immediacy that expressively depicts both a grim historical era and one’s family healing.”
Reviewed in Booklist: “This is an excellent book for discussion, and many of the poems stand alone sufficiently to be used as powerful supplements to a history lesson.”
Newberry Medal Winner, 1998, Notable Children’s Books, 1998, Best Books for Young Adults, 1998, and Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, 1997.
CONNECTIONS
*Incorporate writing verse poetry into an upcoming lesson plan, allow students to write about a topic important to them relating to family.
*Other engaging verse novels:
Frost, Helen. DIAMOND WILLOW. ISBN 9780374317768
Hesse, Karen. ALEUTIAN SPARROW. ISBN 0689861893
Hesse, Karen. Witness. ISBN 0439271991
Hesse, Karen. 1997. OUT OF THE DUST. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0590376195
PLOT SUMMARY
Billie Jo is growing up in Oklahoma in the 1930 when the panhandle was having many struggles with dust storms. The verse novel discusses the hard life style that Billie Jo had growing up. Her father attempts to grow wheat off of the land, yet the dust and lack of rain destroy all hopes of a good crop. Billie Jo’s father leaves a pot of kerosene on the stove and her ma and baby brother dies from the burns that resulted from Billie Jo trying to get rid of the kerosene by throwing it out the front door. Left behind are Billie Jo with severely burnt hands and her father. The story follows them through their struggles and mourning their losses. When Billie Jo finally decides to run away, she realizes that there is no place like home and is quick to return and repair the relationship with her father and help him rebuild their farm.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Karen Hesse’s utilization of verse in the writing of this novel makes it very readable and enjoyable. She utilizes first person to enable the reader to feel connected to what she is writing. The content is bleak at times, yet the book is fast paced due to the free verse writing style. I found Billie Jo to be a strong character; she went through a lot in a short period of time. The pain she must have felt after she burnt her hands. She states “I keep my raw and stinging hands behind my back when he comes near, because he stares when he sees them.” At 14 she had suffered so much, yet she found strength in herself to push forward and find peace at home. This book will help students understand what life was like in 1930 and how different it is from today.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in Horn Book: “nearly every word informed by longing, provides an immediacy that expressively depicts both a grim historical era and one’s family healing.”
Reviewed in Booklist: “This is an excellent book for discussion, and many of the poems stand alone sufficiently to be used as powerful supplements to a history lesson.”
Newberry Medal Winner, 1998, Notable Children’s Books, 1998, Best Books for Young Adults, 1998, and Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, 1997.
CONNECTIONS
*Incorporate writing verse poetry into an upcoming lesson plan, allow students to write about a topic important to them relating to family.
*Other engaging verse novels:
Frost, Helen. DIAMOND WILLOW. ISBN 9780374317768
Hesse, Karen. ALEUTIAN SPARROW. ISBN 0689861893
Hesse, Karen. Witness. ISBN 0439271991
TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
George, Kristine O’Connell. 2001. TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS. Ill. by Kate Kiesler. New York: Clarion. ISBN 061804597X.
PLOT SUMMARY
A young girl travels to the mountains with her family. She describes what her adventures are like through the eyes of a child. You are given a sense of what it would be like to row a boat, see a moose, pitch a tent, and toast marshmallows. When it comes time to travel home, the young girl brings a rock home as a promise to return again soon, and she keeps her favorite flannel shirt in her bottom dresser drawer to always remind her of the smells of the mountains.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This 30 piece collection of poetry forms the perfect family story of a summer camping trip to the mountains. The young girl feels at home in the outdoors, and enjoys the various adventures she has with her family. In the poem The Best Paths, she writes that “the best paths hide themselves until the right someone comes along.” The poems express common things that a family would do or see while camping and exploring their surroundings. The poems allow students to envision themselves camping, even if they have never been before.
Kate Kiesler uses inviting oil paintings to visualize each of the poems. She creates a cast of characters in the perfect setting. The continually changing vistas offer a sense of surprise as the pages are turned. In Sleeping Outside, you get the feeling of camping high up the sierras among the trees and stars. The brightness and closeness of the stars enables the reader to feel as though the stars are in reach. The illustrations portray a realistic experience of a family adventure high in the mountains.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in School Library Journal: “The poems are varied and inventive, replete with marvelous images and universal truths.”
Starred Review in Booklist: “fine collection brings the outdoors up close…direct, satisfying poems that will engage kids at school, across the curriculum, or at home.”
Reviewed in Horn Book: “The pleasure and surprise of going camping are conveyed in thirty brief poems.”
CONNECTIONS
*Invite children to write a poem about camping.
*Other engaging books of poetry about the great outdoors:
Asch, Frank. CACTUS POEMS. ISBN 0152006761
Bates, Katharine Lee. AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL. ISBN 0399238859
George, Kristine O’Connell. 2001. TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS. Ill. by Kate Kiesler. New York: Clarion. ISBN 061804597X.
PLOT SUMMARY
A young girl travels to the mountains with her family. She describes what her adventures are like through the eyes of a child. You are given a sense of what it would be like to row a boat, see a moose, pitch a tent, and toast marshmallows. When it comes time to travel home, the young girl brings a rock home as a promise to return again soon, and she keeps her favorite flannel shirt in her bottom dresser drawer to always remind her of the smells of the mountains.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This 30 piece collection of poetry forms the perfect family story of a summer camping trip to the mountains. The young girl feels at home in the outdoors, and enjoys the various adventures she has with her family. In the poem The Best Paths, she writes that “the best paths hide themselves until the right someone comes along.” The poems express common things that a family would do or see while camping and exploring their surroundings. The poems allow students to envision themselves camping, even if they have never been before.
Kate Kiesler uses inviting oil paintings to visualize each of the poems. She creates a cast of characters in the perfect setting. The continually changing vistas offer a sense of surprise as the pages are turned. In Sleeping Outside, you get the feeling of camping high up the sierras among the trees and stars. The brightness and closeness of the stars enables the reader to feel as though the stars are in reach. The illustrations portray a realistic experience of a family adventure high in the mountains.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in School Library Journal: “The poems are varied and inventive, replete with marvelous images and universal truths.”
Starred Review in Booklist: “fine collection brings the outdoors up close…direct, satisfying poems that will engage kids at school, across the curriculum, or at home.”
Reviewed in Horn Book: “The pleasure and surprise of going camping are conveyed in thirty brief poems.”
CONNECTIONS
*Invite children to write a poem about camping.
*Other engaging books of poetry about the great outdoors:
Asch, Frank. CACTUS POEMS. ISBN 0152006761
Bates, Katharine Lee. AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL. ISBN 0399238859
Family Reunion
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Singer, Marilyn. 1994. FAMILY REUNION. Ill. by R. W. Alley. New York: Macmillan. ISBN 0027828832
PLOT SUMMARY:
On a summer afternoon in a small park, a family reunion takes place. The story is a collection of 14 poems that describe in humorous detail the goings on at the party. The poems create a wonderful story of a family that loves to spend time together. The poems cover the many silly antics and games. The narrator describes all the silly games the children play. Including searching for Beavers in the pond, and this year they found Uncle Bill’s hairpiece. In closing the narrator reflects on the fun the family had together and the special memories that he has, and on the anticipated arrival of a family photo.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The book is full of poems which allow the reader to feel as though they are part of reunion themselves. In the poem Aunt Alicia, “I wish that someday she’d startle us in sneakers” the narrator talks about how different their Aunt is from everyone else, and how they love her just the way she is. The poems are full of life and fun including Slow-Motion Sprint, in which “it’s hard so hard inching along like worms in a wheat field…that in the end we no longer care who the winner is.” The family comes together and enjoys each other, including their differences.
The illustrations with their cartoon like feel, add to the whimsical feeling of this book. The watercolor and ink drawings allow children to feel connected to the different poems. Each page is illustrated in a way that allows a child’s imagination to think about how fun it would be if they were at the family reunion.
REVIEW EXCERPTS:
School Library Journal: “Family love and humor make this book a winner to share with children.”
Booklist: “Anyone who has been to a summertime family reunion will recognize the people, events, tastes, and smells captured in this lively collection of 14 poems.”
Horn Book: “Alley's whimsical pen and wash illustrations capture the humorous idiosyncrasies of the various characters.”
CONNECTIONS:
*Invite children to write a poem about their own family.
*Other engaging books of poetry for children:
Aber, Linda Williams. THE BIG GOLDEN BOOK OF LAUGHS: A TREASURY OF POEMS, JOKES, RIDDLES, AND RHYMES. ISBN 0-307-14902-1 Agard, John, Nichols, Grace & Jabar, Cynthia. NO HICKORY, NO DICKORY, NO DOCK: CARIBBEAN NURSERY RHYMES. ISBN 1567021564
Singer, Marilyn. 1994. FAMILY REUNION. Ill. by R. W. Alley. New York: Macmillan. ISBN 0027828832
PLOT SUMMARY:
On a summer afternoon in a small park, a family reunion takes place. The story is a collection of 14 poems that describe in humorous detail the goings on at the party. The poems create a wonderful story of a family that loves to spend time together. The poems cover the many silly antics and games. The narrator describes all the silly games the children play. Including searching for Beavers in the pond, and this year they found Uncle Bill’s hairpiece. In closing the narrator reflects on the fun the family had together and the special memories that he has, and on the anticipated arrival of a family photo.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The book is full of poems which allow the reader to feel as though they are part of reunion themselves. In the poem Aunt Alicia, “I wish that someday she’d startle us in sneakers” the narrator talks about how different their Aunt is from everyone else, and how they love her just the way she is. The poems are full of life and fun including Slow-Motion Sprint, in which “it’s hard so hard inching along like worms in a wheat field…that in the end we no longer care who the winner is.” The family comes together and enjoys each other, including their differences.
The illustrations with their cartoon like feel, add to the whimsical feeling of this book. The watercolor and ink drawings allow children to feel connected to the different poems. Each page is illustrated in a way that allows a child’s imagination to think about how fun it would be if they were at the family reunion.
REVIEW EXCERPTS:
School Library Journal: “Family love and humor make this book a winner to share with children.”
Booklist: “Anyone who has been to a summertime family reunion will recognize the people, events, tastes, and smells captured in this lively collection of 14 poems.”
Horn Book: “Alley's whimsical pen and wash illustrations capture the humorous idiosyncrasies of the various characters.”
CONNECTIONS:
*Invite children to write a poem about their own family.
*Other engaging books of poetry for children:
Aber, Linda Williams. THE BIG GOLDEN BOOK OF LAUGHS: A TREASURY OF POEMS, JOKES, RIDDLES, AND RHYMES. ISBN 0-307-14902-1 Agard, John, Nichols, Grace & Jabar, Cynthia. NO HICKORY, NO DICKORY, NO DOCK: CARIBBEAN NURSERY RHYMES. ISBN 1567021564
Saturday, June 27, 2009
AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND: FOLK POETRY FROM EVERYONE
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schwartz, Alvin. 1992. AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND: FOLK POETRY FROM EVERYONE. Ill by. Sue Truesdell. Harper Collins. ISDN 0060227575
PLOT SUMMARY
AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND is a compilation of children’s folk poetry by the late author Alvin Schwartz. The poetry is organized in themed chapters covering People, Food, School, Teases and Taunts, Wishes and Warnings, Love and Marriage, Work, Stories, Nonsense, Riddles, Fun and Games, Rain and Shine, A Tree, Animals and Insects, and Other Things. A few child favorites are On top of Spaghetti, Miss Lucy had a baby and Cinderella dressed in yella. The folk poetry contains many silly solutions to everyday situations and problems.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
These stories and poems are favorites of many children. The origination of these many poems is unknown, yet can change as they are told from one person to another. Each storyteller can alter the poem to be representative of their own culture. This book compiles the many songs and poems which we hear as a child. It is a treasure to have them all in one place. Sue Truesdell illustrates multicultural drawings which are full of life and give each poem a connection to the reader. They are able to sense that they have become part of the story. The drawings also add a bit of energized whimsy to the stories and poems.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “The universal rhymes that kids all over the world seem to learn from each other”
Reviewed in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Once the kids discover it, it will always be checked out.”
Reviewed in KIRKUS: “It’s hard to imagine a child who wouldn’t greet this treasure trove with enthusiasm.”
Notable Children’s Book of 1993, 1993 Fanfare Honor List: HORN BOOK, Children’s Choices for 1993.
CONNECTIONS
*This story is an excellent source for presenting poetry to children. Children will quickly recognize one of the previous poems or stories that they have heard before.
*Other folklore books by Alvin Schwartz:
Schwartz, Alvin. BUSY BUZZING BUMBLEBEES AND OTHER TONGUE TWISTERS. ISBN: 0060252685Schwartz, Alvin. GHOSTS!: GHOSTLY TALES FROM FOLKLORE. ISBN: 0060217960
Schwartz, Alvin. 1992. AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND: FOLK POETRY FROM EVERYONE. Ill by. Sue Truesdell. Harper Collins. ISDN 0060227575
PLOT SUMMARY
AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND is a compilation of children’s folk poetry by the late author Alvin Schwartz. The poetry is organized in themed chapters covering People, Food, School, Teases and Taunts, Wishes and Warnings, Love and Marriage, Work, Stories, Nonsense, Riddles, Fun and Games, Rain and Shine, A Tree, Animals and Insects, and Other Things. A few child favorites are On top of Spaghetti, Miss Lucy had a baby and Cinderella dressed in yella. The folk poetry contains many silly solutions to everyday situations and problems.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
These stories and poems are favorites of many children. The origination of these many poems is unknown, yet can change as they are told from one person to another. Each storyteller can alter the poem to be representative of their own culture. This book compiles the many songs and poems which we hear as a child. It is a treasure to have them all in one place. Sue Truesdell illustrates multicultural drawings which are full of life and give each poem a connection to the reader. They are able to sense that they have become part of the story. The drawings also add a bit of energized whimsy to the stories and poems.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “The universal rhymes that kids all over the world seem to learn from each other”
Reviewed in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Once the kids discover it, it will always be checked out.”
Reviewed in KIRKUS: “It’s hard to imagine a child who wouldn’t greet this treasure trove with enthusiasm.”
Notable Children’s Book of 1993, 1993 Fanfare Honor List: HORN BOOK, Children’s Choices for 1993.
CONNECTIONS
*This story is an excellent source for presenting poetry to children. Children will quickly recognize one of the previous poems or stories that they have heard before.
*Other folklore books by Alvin Schwartz:
Schwartz, Alvin. BUSY BUZZING BUMBLEBEES AND OTHER TONGUE TWISTERS. ISBN: 0060252685Schwartz, Alvin. GHOSTS!: GHOSTLY TALES FROM FOLKLORE. ISBN: 0060217960
GLASS SLIPPER, GOLD SANDAL: A WORLDWIDE CINDERELLA
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fleischman, Paul. 2007. GLASS SLIPPER, GOLD SANDAL A WORLDWIDE CINDERELLA. Ill. by Julie Paschkis. New York: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 080507953X
PLOT SUMMARY
GLASS SLIPPER, GOLD SANDAL A WORLDWIDE CINDERELLA is the combination of Cinderella stories from seventeen different countries. Thirty six separate details have been taken to create a new Cinderella story. In this version of Cinderella, the story begins in Mexico were Cinderella encourages her father to marry the widow who lived down the road. As the story continues to travel through different countries, Cinderella’s aunty changes a big round breadfruit into a carriage for her to ride in to the ball. When she rides away from the ball, the glass slipper or sandal of gold is left in the prince’s hand as he tries to stop her. In the end Cinderella and the Prince marry at a lavish ceremony.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story teaches its readers that there are many cultural differences in Cinderella stories from around the world. The story of Cinderella has many versions, and this will become a new favorite to all who read it. Cinderella travels with ease from country to country. The story flows easily allowing the reader to stop and reflect on the differences within each countries story.
The illustrations by Julie Paschkis allow the book to come to life as a color Kaleidoscope. Each country has its own color and artwork that is used as a folkloric backdrop. This enables the reader to quickly realize that Cinderella has traveled to another country. The illustrations are representative of the country whose story is being told on the page. This gives readers a further glimpse into the cultures from around the world.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred Review in BOOKLIST: “sophisticated piece of artistry”
Starred Review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “As Newbery Medalist Fleischman’s strong storytelling voice incorporates sometimes small details from different traditions”
Review in HORN BOOK: “a Kaleidoscope of storytelling styles and ethnic and cultural details.”
CONNECTIONS
*This story is an excellent choice for teaching Children how similar stories are written in different countries. This book also teaches children how diversity can create a wonderful new story.
*Other stories about Cinderella from different cultures:
Climo, Shirley. THE IRISH CINDERLAD. ISBN 0064435776
Coburn, Jewell. DOMITILA: A CINDERELLA TALE FROM THE MEXICAN TRADITION. ISBN 1885008139
Dwyer, Mindy. THE SALMON PRINCESS: AN ALASKA CINDERELLA STORY. ISBN 1570613559
Sierra, Judy. THE GIFT OF THE CROCODILE: A CINDERELLA STORY. ISBN 0689821883
Takayama, Sandi. SUMORELLA: A HAWAII CINDERELLA STORY. ISBN 1573060275
Fleischman, Paul. 2007. GLASS SLIPPER, GOLD SANDAL A WORLDWIDE CINDERELLA. Ill. by Julie Paschkis. New York: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 080507953X
PLOT SUMMARY
GLASS SLIPPER, GOLD SANDAL A WORLDWIDE CINDERELLA is the combination of Cinderella stories from seventeen different countries. Thirty six separate details have been taken to create a new Cinderella story. In this version of Cinderella, the story begins in Mexico were Cinderella encourages her father to marry the widow who lived down the road. As the story continues to travel through different countries, Cinderella’s aunty changes a big round breadfruit into a carriage for her to ride in to the ball. When she rides away from the ball, the glass slipper or sandal of gold is left in the prince’s hand as he tries to stop her. In the end Cinderella and the Prince marry at a lavish ceremony.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story teaches its readers that there are many cultural differences in Cinderella stories from around the world. The story of Cinderella has many versions, and this will become a new favorite to all who read it. Cinderella travels with ease from country to country. The story flows easily allowing the reader to stop and reflect on the differences within each countries story.
The illustrations by Julie Paschkis allow the book to come to life as a color Kaleidoscope. Each country has its own color and artwork that is used as a folkloric backdrop. This enables the reader to quickly realize that Cinderella has traveled to another country. The illustrations are representative of the country whose story is being told on the page. This gives readers a further glimpse into the cultures from around the world.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred Review in BOOKLIST: “sophisticated piece of artistry”
Starred Review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “As Newbery Medalist Fleischman’s strong storytelling voice incorporates sometimes small details from different traditions”
Review in HORN BOOK: “a Kaleidoscope of storytelling styles and ethnic and cultural details.”
CONNECTIONS
*This story is an excellent choice for teaching Children how similar stories are written in different countries. This book also teaches children how diversity can create a wonderful new story.
*Other stories about Cinderella from different cultures:
Climo, Shirley. THE IRISH CINDERLAD. ISBN 0064435776
Coburn, Jewell. DOMITILA: A CINDERELLA TALE FROM THE MEXICAN TRADITION. ISBN 1885008139
Dwyer, Mindy. THE SALMON PRINCESS: AN ALASKA CINDERELLA STORY. ISBN 1570613559
Sierra, Judy. THE GIFT OF THE CROCODILE: A CINDERELLA STORY. ISBN 0689821883
Takayama, Sandi. SUMORELLA: A HAWAII CINDERELLA STORY. ISBN 1573060275
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